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Cat Meow

Consider Loud Vocalization a Message

A cat's loud meows may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

J. Veronika Kiklevich, DVM

Q. I have an 18-year-old cat that recently started walking around and crying aloud, almost as if she is looking for something. The vocalization becomes so loud at times it appears that she is hurt or something, but when I go to her, talk to her and pick her up, she stops. She is a strictly indoor, spayed cat that has never had kittens. Should I be concerned about this unusual vocalization? 

A. I am convinced that your cat is trying to tell you something. The first thing you need to do is have her thoroughly examined by your veterinarian, including blood pressure, the eyes and a complete laboratory workup (CBC, chemistry panel, U/A and T4). 

Many older cats with physical or metabolic abnormalities will display this kind of behavior. If she is physically and metabolically normal, then she may be exhibiting signs of cognitive dysfunction. Ask your vet about selegiline (Anipryl®), and if this is necessary your veterinarian can guide you on the dosing.

Posted: Fri May 13 00:00:00 PDT 2005

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Reader Comments
If this will help anyone who has a cat the has a loud meow I have had it happen to two of my cats. The first last year an 18 year old female I went on the internet to see what could be causing this the answer was she had become deaf. I did a simple test, but my car keys behind her eyes and she did not move when I shook them. I took her to the vet and they said they could run a ear check test to verify her deafness, only cost $200.00. I said thanks but not thanks. She always came when called and when I knew she could not hear I used lights hand motions to get her attention she lived for another year. Her deafness did not cause her death, her sweat heart gave out. Now her litter mate a now almost 20 year old female has also gone deaf and she also mewos loudly. Why they do this is because they can not hear you so they will assume you can not hear them. Only my perception, but so far have two animals for this long I believe I have done something right.
joan, norwell, MA
Posted: 11/17/2009 6:00:54 PM
I just lost Sir Lancelot at 20 years old in Jan 09. Aidan, who is turning 7 yrs old was a kitten when I rescued him and grew up with Sir Lancelot. During the past two months, Aidan has been meowing constantly, even while eating his food. It is heart-breaking. I had him to the vet and he is fine. He continues to look for the other cat in the crate, cat house, everywhere. I recently fostered another cat and his meowing stopped. Hhmm. I now seem to think he needs a "forever" friend so I am looking for a permanent companion for him. Perhaps this may be your issue, too. Good luck.
Kim, Rutherford, NJ
Posted: 3/31/2009 7:13:04 PM
good article thanks
janet, bethlehem, PA
Posted: 3/29/2009 7:28:41 AM
I have a 11 year old calico house cat, whom we lost he brother in April due to heart & kidney issues. SInce his death, she has changed a lot of her personality traits. She use to be the stand off one and her brother was the lover. Now she is affectionate to us. But at night, while we try to sleep, she has been excessively meowing every night for over two months. She has food, she has water and she gets attention from us every day. there has been no changes in her rountine for food, water or litterbox. Not sure if she is STILL looking for her brother or is lonely in the middle of the night. We have already considered getting another cat, but our id highly allergic to cats, so we can't get another one. Not sure how to help her, but need some sleep!
Julie, La Mesa, CA
Posted: 9/30/2008 1:11:25 PM
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